Memory Grove Clean Up

Memory Grove Cleanup - Annual Service Project

Beginning in 1997 residents of the Greater Avenues Community, under the direction of Phil Carroll and with ongoing support from LDS Hospital, the Ensign Stake, Salt Lake City Parks Department, and Councilman Stan Penfold have helped to preserve the beauty of Memory Grove through an annual cleanup project.

The GACC's Memory Grove Cleanup occurs each year on the second Saturday in May. Volunteers should wear good shoes and bring personal items such as gloves, hats, sunscreen and a water bottle. The Salt Lake City Parks Department will provide garden tools and shovels. Work begins at 8:00 and wraps up at noon with a free lunch for volunteers provided by our generous sponsor, LDS Hospital. Bring the whole family for a fun morning of spring service project!

History of Memory Grove and Memorial House

When Salt Lake City acquired the land located in lower City Creek Canyon in 1902, a park was born. A group of women who had lost sons in World War I petitioned the City to dedicate the area in their honor. This land later became home to Memory Grove and Memorial House.

The Memorial House building began life as a horse stable and equipment storage shed for the P.J. Moran Asphalt Company. As asphalt demand dropped and production ceased, the building suffered years of neglect. Through the efforts of the same Service Star Legion of women, the house was updated. Memorial House became a center of social life in Salt Lake City from the 1930s through the 1960s. Other monuments and a pond were added to enhance the area, but by the 1970s and 1980s decline had set in once again and crime was an unwelcome visitor.

The canyon and pond were devastated by the flood of 1983 when clogged underground conduits forced City Creek stream down Canyon Road to State Street. In the recovery from that destruction, repairs to the park and house were made. Additional improvements came again in 1999 after a surprise tornado tore through the park. Located on the urban interface, the decision to emphasize Memory Grove as a transition from an urban park to the open lands of City Creek Canyon has worked. In partnership with Salt Lake City, The Utah Heritage Foundation currently operates the Memorial House and is working to maintain ongoing stewardship.